James Bourne recovering well after brother Chris donated kidney

Busted frontman James Bourne was losing his eyesight in the final days before his life-saving kidney transplant, according to his brother Chris. Speaking to The Sun, Chris revealed that the 43-year-old singer struggled to read the clock on the wall of his hospital room just before surgery. However, upon waking in the recovery room, James could see the time clearly, a sign that his new organ was working almost instantly.

Chris, 33, donated the kidney after doctors warned James he had only "a few years left to live" due to an undisclosed condition. The Mirror reported ^[1] that Chris described the transplant as giving James a "Bentley Rolls-Royce kidney," which will significantly extend his life. Both brothers are currently in a six-week recovery period, with Chris noting that James is doing "really well."

The health crisis forced James to pull out of Busted’s joint tour with McFly last year. Bandmate Matt Willis told fans on stage that James was "really sick," prompting Chris to step in for the first few dates. Chris had to quickly learn the band’s hits, including the Air Hostess classic, while standing outside Wembley Stadium with fans, where he received the news that James was critically ill.

James shared his recovery update on his Spotify biography, stating, "My condition was serious, and the doctors told me I had a few years left to live." He thanked Chris, calling him a "hero" for saving his life. The Daily Mail reported ^[2] that James also posted on X, quipping, "I'm still alive and kicking and it's all thanks to my brother."

While James has kept a low profile since the surgery, he revealed in July that he was still not "out of the woods." The transplant follows a year of silence from the pop-punk star, who had previously hinted at health issues. Chris mentioned that he, along with siblings Melissa and Nick, all volunteered to be donors, though Chris was the match. The family had been unaware of the severity of James’s illness until the tour cancellation, when Chris was instructed to brush up on his musical skills to stand in for his brother.